Energy: The hidden backbone of patient care
When we talk about patient safety, energy isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, without it, modern healthcare would grind to a halt. From ventilators to surgical lighting and electronic patient records, reliable power is fundamental to safe, effective care.
However, research from Centrica Business Solutions' Navigating the Energy Labyrinth – How healthcare providers can find the way to net zero reveals a stark shift in priorities as 44% of healthcare providers now rank energy security as an equal threat to financial risk.
It’s a warning sign that the conversation about energy is no longer just about cutting carbon – it's about hospitals taking control of their own energy usage and becoming less reliant on the grid.
A prefect storm of pressures
The NHS’s target to reach net zero by 2040 is one of the most ambitious decarbonisation commitments in the public sector. The goal for healthcare providers to reach net zero is clear, yet the path to achieving it is becoming increasingly complex.
Our data shows that 34% of healthcare providers in the UK and Ireland are likely to miss their 2030 emissions targets.
Our report also shows that healthcare leaders now face twin pressures: the need to cut emissions and the need to protect against volatile energy costs.
Financial strain, coupled with growing demand and an ageing estate, means many Trusts are struggling to take meaningful action. The NHS’s total backlog maintenance bill for 2024/25 is now nearing £16bn, further compounding the challenge of modernising outdated infrastructure while a staggering 37% of healthcare providers report that it is difficult to make the business case for new energy technology despite recognising its operational and safety benefits.
This paradox leaves the sector stuck between knowing what needs to be done and lacking the means to do it.
Energy insecurity as a clinical risk
It’s tempting to view energy as an operational overhead to be managed quietly in the background. But the consequences of underinvestment are clinical. Power failures disrupt elective procedures; outdated systems risk infection control lapses; overheated wards in summer compromise recovery rates and staff wellbeing.
Energy resilience is inseparable from patient safety. And without the right investment, the NHS risks compromising both.
Trusts making changes
The good news is that awareness is growing. According to Centrica Business Solution’s research, 85% of healthcare providers plan to introduce energy-efficiency training for staff – a clear sign that energy literacy is becoming part of healthcare culture.
However, training alone can’t compensate for ageing infrastructure. From outdated boilers to inefficient lighting and ventilation systems, many hospitals are locked into high-carbon, high-cost operations.
Funding constraints and short-term capital models continue to delay upgrades that could dramatically reduce risk, cost and emissions.
Adding to the challenge in the NHS, the UK government recently announced the withdrawal of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). The closure will leave many Trusts looking at alternative funding models, including exploration of
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